The proposed Urban Renewal Bill (URB) seeks to rejuvenate mature urban areas in Malaysia, promoting sustainable and structured city planning. The Government of Malaysia highlighted that limited vacant land in cities like Kuala Lumpur has led to suburban expansion, resulting in urban sprawl and increased carbon emissions. The URB aims to revitalise existing urban spaces, enhancing livability and facilitating convenient public transport access. This approach aligns with practices in countries such as South Korea, China, and Poland.
The government emphasised that urban renewal is intended to improve property values and living conditions without burdening current landowners. For instance, redevelopments like Kampung Kerinchi have seen property sizes and rental values increase, benefiting residents. The URB proposes lowering the consent threshold for redevelopment projects: 75% for buildings over 30 years old, 80 per cent for those under 30 years, and 51 per cent for abandoned buildings. This legislative effort aims to address urban decay and ensure sustainable development.